The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-01-17
A JAPANESE TEA HOUSE.

Is rated rs lne very DcSt anu INC oWcH-
est in the city. 1t is patronized by
the upper crust of Japanese society,
and has theatre attached, where an
ancient japanese dance can be seen
occasionally.
The sliding doors were thrown open,
revealing the reception room, wherein
stood three or four tiny japanese girls,
their jet black hair moulded into fan
tastic shapes with grease and bandoline,
their eyebrows shaved, their lips paint
ed red, and their dainty little forms
arrayed in dazzling pimonas or loose
flowing robes which failed to conceal
their graceful nccks. These are the
tea-house girls of Japan, bewltching,
cunning and dangerously picturesque!
1t is these pretty creatures which makes
Japan so attractive to foreigners.
We started to enter without cere.
mony, as one would enter restaurant.
Bat we could not have committed a
greater or more objectionable sin. My
'ricksha man, grinning from ear to ear,
pointed to my hat | took it off and
bowed politely, whercupon the young
ladies Uttered and looked at each other.
Unconcerted, however, | started again
to enter, but was held back by my
grinning 'ricksha man, who pointed to
my shoes, and grunted out something
which sounded like No-sh--ng-moo-
poo. ] took the hint and took off my
shoes, keeping my feet beneath me to
conceal the holes in my hose until u
girl brought me II pair of Japanese
slippers, which you know have no
heels. Did you ever try to keep on
pair of slippers without anything to
hold your heels in? Try it once. EX-
peditiously Ishoved my toes into the
slippers, and guided by the shy and
Sinking females, began my inspection
of the tea houses.
The first thing we saw, as we step
ped upon the mating of the small,
empty reception room was row OF
japanese girls, of various shades OF
beauty on their knees, bowling their
heads to the floor. We answered the
salute by bowling, but not on our
knees.
"Ohio," (good morning., said one OF
the prettiest girls, advancing.
"Ohio," / boldly responded. But
mere my knowledge of japanese ended
and my embarrassment began. | could
not speak Japanese and the young lady
addressing us could not speak English,
but of course she knew what we were
there for and Immediately began to
conduct us through the several rooms
of the house.
Simplicity and plainness are the fea'
lures of the interior of an ideal Japan
csc tea house. The rooms are low and
finished in natural Imprinted and I'M
vanished wood, save here or there n
lacquer wood door frames or panel.
On the floor is stray mating, but no
table or chairs of any description. The
walls are usually without pictures or
ornaments, and neither stove nor fire.
place is seen. In short, the room we
were finally conducted to was a model
of baroness and simplicity. Some OF
the private. tea rooms overhead, how
ever, were finished throughout in lac
quer wood. and had lacquer floors,
shining like polished mirrors.
OF course when one enters a tea
house he is expected TO take refresh
ments. Selecting the best of these I'M
inviting rooms overlooking the lawn,
we called for chdyd, which is japanese
tea. Two little girls quickly respond
ed and placed before us the usual re-
freshments which Japanese tea house
affords. Two little trays with tiny tea
pots, dainty cups holding hardly gill,
and little sauccrs of sweetmeats made
of rice and flour. were placed before us
No chairs were offered us, 80 we stretch
ed ourselves on the floor. Our walters,
without word. poured the steaming
tea into the cups and offered it to US.
The Japanese use no sugar nor milk in
their tea, and dr. nix only small guam
tity at time. slipping it slowly: Their
tea is very bitter, and has a sickening
greenish-yelow color.
With q wry face, we slipped the tea
and nibbled the tough sweetmeats'
surely feeling. doubtless looking. very
foolish. 1t is very embarrassing to sit
at banquet" with pretty and gayly-